These 6 smart plugs are the best for monitoring energy usage in 2023
Eliminating energy waste is good for the environment and your wallet.
Whether you're trying to save some money or want to reduce your carbon footprint, a smart plug with energy monitoring can help you find and reduce waste/ Smart plugs are one of the simplest and most convenient smart home accessories for controlling devices around your home. Most typically work with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa and can turn almost any lamp or small appliance into a smart device you can control with your phone or just your voice.
We've highlighted the best smart plugs that go the extra mile and offer energy monitoring features that let you track how much energy your favorite devices and appliances draw so that you can make the best purchase decision for your household.
The best smart plugs will help cut down on your energy bills
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Energy monitoring with Matter support
This smart plug from Kasa uses Matter to improve compatibility between systems so the plug can integrate well into existing smart home networks. If you're starting new, it's also easy to set up with an app from TP-Link using Wi-Fi. it's even compatible to use with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, or Samsung SmartThings.
Double-duty
This smart plug offers two outlets, with a single "always on" outlet and three that can be individually controlled using the smartphone app or with Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, or Amazon Alexa. It uses the Satechi app for setup and real-time energy monitoring, and it leaves the second outlet space available for your other devices.
Monitor six devices at once
You need more than a couple of plugs for an entertainment center or home office making a power strip the perfect fit. This HS300 model from Kasa allows individual control and monitoring of each plug. With surge protection, three USB charging ports, and six plugs, this power strip is a excellent way to take control of multiple devices at once.
Compact and cheap
This compact smart plug from Sonoff keeps the price low while offering a range of nice features. The plug connects with Wi-Fi so you don't need a hub, and works with Google Home or Alexa. Sonoff's app makes it easy to track multiple plugs to see which devices are using the most power. You can even sort devices by usage over a month or year.
Light up your garden
Wyze Plug Outdoor is a two-outlet wi-fi smart plug with IP64 water resistance so you can use it outside. You can use one or both outlets for outdoor lighting, music, or even garden accessories like a water feature. Turn the outlets on or off with the press of a button if you're outside or in the app if you've already gone inside. With 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, you won't need a hub and your Wi-Fi signal should reach the backyard.
Bulk savings
The BN-Link Wi-Fi Heavy Duty Smart Plug comes in two, three, or four packs, making it easy to get your smart home connected in one go. Once installed and connected to your home Wi-Fi, you can use voice commands via Alexa or Google or the app to control your lights and appliances as well as monitor your power consumption.
Get smarter about energy conservation with these smart plugs
Are you dealing with rising energy costs for your home? Energy monitoring is a great way to test out which devices are wasting power. You might be surprised by how much power an unattended device, like a smart TV, can use when it appears to be off. With a better idea of how much power you actually need, you'll be able to make better decisions about home upgrades like solar panel installations. Even if there are a myriad of uses for smart plugs, conserving energy is one of the best ways a smart plug can pay for itself.
Our top recommendation is the Kasa Matter Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring, which is a solid yet affordable pick that works smoothly with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa while also helping you monitor energy consumption. If you want to cover more ground, the HS300 Kasa power strip will let you monitor six devices at once which is perfect for your living room's entertainment center.
For a multi-plug option, we've got the Satechi Dual Smart Outlet with Real-Time Power Monitoring, which offers you the most flexibility, and the Eve Energy Smart Plug & Power Meter gives you multi-assistant capabilities with good old-fashioned touch-to-tap functionality.
If you decide you want something simpler or just want to check out other options, there are plenty of other great smart plugs available, including outdoor smart Wi-FI plugs.
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When Samuel is not writing about networking or 5G at Android Central, he spends most of his time researching computer components and obsessing over what CPU goes into the ultimate Windows 98 computer. It's the Pentium 3.